Omanyala backs up Kip Keino Classic performance with another sub-10 run in Botswana
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 26.04.26. | 19:45
Both Omanyala and Canadian Andre De Grasse both crossed the line in 9.95 seconds, with the Kenyan star narrowly settling for third
Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, continued his impressive early-season form, clocking a third consecutive sub-10-second performance, even as Gabby Thomas stole the spotlight by breaking the elusive 11-second barrier at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on Sunday, 26 April.
The World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, in Gaborone, served as a key test event ahead of the upcoming World Athletics Relays, also set to be held in Botswana next weekend, and it delivered high-quality performances across the board.
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Thomas, the reigning Olympic 200m champion, finally dipped under 11 seconds in the women’s 100m for the first time in her career, storming to victory in 10.95 seconds despite a slight headwind (-0.4).
The 29-year-old American had come close just two days earlier at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, where a stronger headwind (-1.1 m/s) saw her settle for 11.01.
In Gaborone, however, there was no denying her.
Exploding out of the blocks, Thomas powered to the finish line ahead of compatriot Cambrea Sturgis, who clocked 11.07, while Canada’s Audrey Leduc completed the podium in 11.10.
The win marked Thomas’ third straight 100m victory at Continental Tour Gold meetings on African soil, having begun her streak at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix on April 18.
In the men’s 100m, Canada’s Jerome Blake produced a career-defining run, clocking a personal best of 9.93 seconds to edge out a stacked field.
Omanyala and Canadian Andre De Grasse both crossed the line in 9.95 seconds, with the Kenyan star narrowly settling for third.
Omanyala’s performance nonetheless extended his remarkable consistency, coming just days after his 9.95 victory at the Kip Keino Classic held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
De Grasse would later return to the track to make a stronger statement in his preferred 200m, cruising to victory in 19.84 seconds.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion led a Canadian one-two finish, with Aaron Brown finishing second in 20.07, while the USA’s Kyree King took third in 20.24.
In the women’s 200m, Kayla White dominated the field, clocking 22.68 seconds to finish ahead of fellow American Kenondra Davis (23.22) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Leah Bertrand (23.39).
Thomas had initially been slated to compete in the 200m but withdrew due to fatigue after her breakthrough performance in the 100m earlier in the evening.
Her decision came just two days after a historic outing in Nairobi, where she clocked a world-leading 21.89 seconds in the 200m at the Kip Keino Classic, the first time a woman had dipped below 22 seconds in the event on Kenyan soil.